Dr. Moniri's training has focused on molecular pharmacology and signal transduction of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) as well as the design and development of novel agents which modulate GPCR function.
Current research interests include signal transduction, alternative signaling, and design of functionally selective modulators of the prototypical GPCR, the b2-adrenergic receptor. Specifically, this work seeks to characterize mechanisms of b2-receptor mediated generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species, formation of which we have recently shown to be indispensable for receptor function.
Dr. Moniri's laboratory is also interested in characterization of neuro-endocrine GPCRs which are involved in glucagon/insulin homeostasis, food intake, and satiety, as well as development of novel anti-diabetic agents which target these GPCRs.
For a more detailed description of research in Dr. Moniri's laboratory click here.
Burns RN and Moniri NH. Agonism with the omega-3 fatty acids alpha-linolenic acid and docosahexaenoic acid mediates phosphorylation of both the short and long isoforms of the human GPR120 receptor. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 396:1030-1035, 2010.
Bagchi G, Wu J, French J, Kim J, Moniri NH, Daaka Y. Androgens transduce the G as-mediated activation of protein kinase A in prostate cells. Cancer Research, 68(9): 3225-31, 2008.
Moniri NH. The Use of a Patient-based Medicinal Chemistry Case in the Nervous System I Course. Let’s think about it! 11(2):1-3, Spring, 2008.
Moniri NH and Daaka Y. Agonist-stimulated reactive oxygen species formation regulates b2-adrenergic receptor signal transduction. Biochemical Pharmacology, 74: 64-73, 2007.
Booth, RG and Moniri, NH. Novel ligands stabilize stereo-selective conformations of the histamine H1 receptor to activate catecholamine synthesis. Inflammation Research, 56:S1-2, 2007.
Moniri, NH and Booth, RG. Role of PKA and PKC in Histamine H1 Receptor-Mediated Activation of Catecholamine Neurotransmitter Synthesis. Neuroscience Letters, 407:249-253, 2006.
Bagchi, G; Moniri, NH; Daaka Y. Androgen Receptor. AfCS-Nature Molecules Pages, 2006.
Guo, R; Kasbohm, EA; Arora, P; Sample, CJ; Baban, B; Sud, N; Sivashanmugam, P; Moniri, NH; Daaka, Y. Expression and function of lysophosphatidic acid LPA1 receptor in prostate cancer cells. Endocrinology, 147:4883-4892, 2006.
Wang, G; Moniri, NH; Ozawa, K; Stamler JS; Daaka, Y. Nitric oxide regulates endocytosis by S-nitrosylation of dynamin. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA, 103(5):1295-1300, 2006.
Booth, RG and Moniri, NH. Ligand-directed multifunctional signaling of histamine H1 receptors. Inflammation Research, 54:S44-45, 2005.
Moniri, NH; Covington-Strachan, DW; Booth, RG. Ligand-directed functional heterogeneity of histamine H1 receptors: Novel agonists selectively activate and block H1 mediated phospholipase C and adenylyl cyclase signaling in CHO cells. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, 311:274-281, 2004.
Moniri, NH and Booth, RG. Functional heterogeneity of histamine H1 receptors. Inflammation Research, 53:S71-72, 2004.
Booth, RG; Moniri, NH; Bakker, RA; Choksi, NY; Nix, WB; Timmerman, H; Leurs, R. A novel phenylaminotetralin radioligand reveals a sub-population of histamine H1 receptors. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, 302:328-336, 2002.
